Mojahedin-e khalq paid money to some congressmen in order to win the support of Congress and Senate

Radicals beside Terrorists;
The analysis of the ties of radicals-Mojahedin should be sought in their stances toward Islamic Republic.
The basis of radical's view toward Iran is regime change in Iran. But most of them believe in "Pressure and control" method the simplest of which are economical sanctions and supporting Iranian opposition.
A few of radicals and Necons believe in military attack to Iran.
One point should not be forgotten: that the main motive for US statesmen to stand against Iran is "to protect Israel's interests."
Politician Journal, Vol. 16, Sept. 2002 wrote:
"One of the analysts, looking at all complex facts in foreign policy about Mojahedin, says that there are many reasons why… for example Iran has been recognized as the financial source for Hizballah guerillas in Lebonan."
It's essential to note that many radicals believe that supporting opposition groups, satellite channels and recently, opposition groups inside the country, is superior to supporting Mojahedin-e khalq!
Views of radicals includes a wide spectrum of people with different ideas and according to these view, the way of looking at Mojahedin and the way of supporting it forms:
There are many politicians and lawyers whose knowledge of Mojahedin is restricted to what they've heard from Mojahedin. Many of such people have admitted to their wrong understanding of Mojahedin. They say that they have found it non-democratic, non-liberal.
In October 2000, when a letter was circulated in the Congress by Garry Ackerman and Ros-Lethinen in order to support Mojahedin, Dean Burton signed it. But his spokesman now says that Mojahedin "are not the ones we really like to cooperate with. Most of the members of congress will sign this letter but they themselves avoid from these people. (1)
Also, after Sept. 11 attacks, many stopped supporting them by saying no to terrorist methods.
In Sept. 14, Ernie Blazer, spokesman for Senator Christopher Bond, announced that Bond has started leaving this group since March 2002. Bond's previous support of this group was to remove "terrorism" from the group. But after 9/11 attacks and regarding the current critical situation in the Middle East, he suspended his support of this group."
Spokespersons for Sen. George Allen, Richard Shelby, and James Inhofe, in similar comments, announced that when signing the letter, Senators were not aware of terrorist ties of the group.
Inhofe's spokesman said: "we won't support a group involved deeply in terrorist activities and being backed by Saddam Hussein." (2)
… Sen. Christopher Cox said he was misled into signing the letter. (3)
But among the former supporters of Mojahedin in the US, opposition of two permanent figures is significant.
Bob Ney, Rep. Ohio, and John Ashcroft, former Congressman and current Attorney General, were both long-standing supporters of this group and had close relations with the members of MKO. But why did they withdraw their support? They're familiar with the situation of Iran. They have learnt that most of MKO's claims about Iran are invalid words which have been posed only with politically motives. On the other hand, Ashcroft focused on MKO's illegal acts due to his legal position.
These two's opposition to Mojahedin went on to the point where they questioned a concert which was held by Mojahedin under the name of "gathering money for the victims of Bam earthquake."
A legislator claims that a concert called "Solidarity night with Iranian quake victims" is sponsored by a group which has close ties to terrorists. But the organizers deny such claims.
Bob Ney says: "most of these groups are being controlled by people who are in contact with Mojahedin-e khalq, which is on the US terrorists list."
Ney adds: "I have no problem with gathering money for victims of earthquake, but this is Mojahedin-e khalq which wants to show off again. I believe this is an indirect way for Mojahedin to access the money."
Bob Ney wrote a letter to John Ashcroft and asked him to investigate the case. "A spokesperson of Ashcroft said the request is being reviewed."
"Meanwhile, support of the concert is fading. Carlos Spinoza, spokesman of Tom Tancredo said that Tancredo (who was supposed to speak at the concert) has withdrawn his support. Also, US Red Cross has decided not to accept the money which is brought by the group." (4)
Ney's protests worked and many were informed of this deceptive measure of Mojahedin. After the concert was held, FBI confiscated the money gathered.
Another spectrum of radicals who support this group are the people who observe no credit for what they say. They are as merchants who have opened a shop in the market of politics. Officials say: "FBI has long been looking at Mojahedin for its terrorist activities and it has provided congressmen with documents on their illegal activities. (5)
Although the State Department has labeled Iranian oppositions as terrorist, congressmen still believe that supporters of MKO, a military group which is supported by Iraqi regime, are legitimate free fighters. (6)
When, despite the official objections of governmental organizations, we face such kinds of supports, we conclude as follows:
"an Iranian opposition group, which has been labeled as terrorist by Secretary of State, has offered donation in order to help a group of congressmen be elected.
Total number of this donation during 3 years and a half has reached $204000. It was paid to a few MKO supporters in the congress.
In a short time and after receiving financial aids (bribes) from Mojahedin, receivers send letters to the President, Secretary of State and other US officials and forced them to support NCR, MKO and NLA.
All these groups were led by Masoud Rajavi and his wife Maryam. State Department accused this group of participating in taking over of hostage taking in Tehran and also of being a non-democratic cult. The Organization denies all accusations.
Congressman Robert Torricelli was one of those who received the maximum financial aid from Mojahedin and in 1996 he successfully became the nominee of Senate.
One of the first aids for Torricelli's electoral campaign was paid on October 26, 1993, by Ramesh Sepehr Rad (a supporter of MKO). It was $1000.
Sepehr Rad is an active female of MKO who takes part in most of public meetings of the organization. In addition, she gave $5000 to election nominees during 2 years in Washington in order to get support for NCRI.
Torricelli, as a congressman received $49000 from MKO leaders and supporters.
MKO's financial aids to Torricelli during past two years got to $132000, which is so much even for an extravagant nominee like him!
He has also enjoyed four $23000 checks which were send to him by Shahriar Kiamanesh.
According to intelligence sources, Kiamanesh is one of the leading MKO agents, who has spent long time with Mojahedin in Baghdad.
Checks with High Figures:
Torricelli received check not only from Mojahedin but also from others. But all of the checks, except 3, were from Mojahedin.
In December 22, 1995, some $17000, and in Dec. 29th some $19000, in January 11, 1996, $9000, in March 25, 1996, $14000, and in May 13th $8000 were given to him.
In the last stage, i.e. Nov. 4, 1996, another $4000 was paid ($1000 of which by Fazele Rasooli and 2000 from the school of MehrIran in Virginia). This school is being run by Mojahedin-e khalq. This amount of money was paid under the name of Mansooreh Zamani, principal of the school.
After Torricelli other receivers of Mojahedin financial aids are as follows:
Don Preton $19000
Garry Ackerman (Dem. NY) #$18250
Bob Ney (Rep. Ohio) $4000
Adolph Tanz $10000
James Trafikent got 17/5 percent of all MKO's financial aids.
All these congressmen and Senator Torricelli talked with Mojahedin, sent letters for them and asked the State Department to talk to them.
Reaction:
A day after State Department received this letter, four people who were suspected of supporting Mojahedin-e khalq, paid several $1000 checks to Don Berton.
MKO's supporters and suspected supporters paid another $13000 to Torricelli (between Oct. 1993 and April 1994). This wave of financial aids were aimed at fighting back the objections of Hamilton and McCain.
In early 1994, Sen. McCain backed an act by which Mojahedin and NCRI were formally called "terrorist organizations" and asked the State Department to present a general report on MKO's activities.
In April 4, Senate members removed Mc Lane from the act of State Departments latitudes in order to instigate Torricelli and Breton.
At the same time NCRI in Washington accused Mc Lane of having contact with Iran.
Terrorism List
In mid1994, situation got worse when the State Department published its annual report on Intl. terrorism and for the first time mentioned the name of Mojahedin and NCRI as foreign terrorist organizations.
State Department's spokesman in anti-terrorism office said: "State Department has always considered MKO a terrorist group, even though its name was not mentioned in the list until 1994."
In June 21, 1994, Torricelli asked, in a letter to deputy Secretary of State, to talk with Mojahedin.
Two weeks later, MKO senior agents, Fazele Rasooli and Mansooreh Zamani flooded Torricelli's office with waves of dollars.
In August 5, Torricelli, Ros-lethinen, Delomes, Breton, …, released a letter with the title of "Dear Partner" and asked their colleagues to have soft behavior toward Iranian resistance.
Iranian resistance was the word they used to describe Mojahedin-e khalq and NCRI.
State Department's Report:
Until mid-September 1994, it was reported in Senate that State Department is finalizing the review of report on MKO. In a preemptive act, Torricelli, Ackerman, and Breton held a press conference in order to criticize State Department and asked again for talk with Iranian resistance.
Two days later, Women Group headed by Behjat Dehghan sent 5000 dollars to the office of Breton. On October 19th, Dehghan sent 30000 dollars for Ackerman.
On October, Hedayat Mostofi (who's worked in NCRI's office in Washington) gave 1000 dollars to Torricelli and 3000 dollars to Breton.
Mojahedin-e khalq, in 1995, send 4000 dollars to Torricelli, Breton, Ackerman just in order to thank them for "Dear Partners" letter. (7)
(1) National Review, March 25, 2002
(2) Capital Report 14, Sept. 2002
(3) MACON, News website
(4) Associated Press/Malia Rolin
(5) Washington Times
(6) MACON, News website
(7) Iran Brief, Capital Report 14, Insight Mag./Kenneth R. Timmerman, American Spectator

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